Teen sues UK-based parents for tricking him into Ghana move; loses court battle

A 14-year-old boy has lost a legal battle against his parents after being sent from London to a boarding school in Ghana.

The teenager challenged the move in the UK High Court, arguing that he was tricked into travelling to Ghana under the pretence of visiting a sick relative.

However, his parents maintained that the decision was made in his best interest due to concerns over his safety and potential gang involvement in London.

The High Court in London ruled in favour of the parents, stating that their actions were driven by “deep, obvious, and unconditional love” for their son.

Mr Justice Hayden, who presided over the case, emphasised that the teenager was at risk of greater harm if he returned to the UK, citing evidence of “at least peripheral involvement” in gang culture and an unhealthy interest in knives according to a report by the BBC.

His father defended the decision, pointing to the dangers of youth violence in London. “We do not want our son to be yet another Black teenager stabbed to death in the streets of London,” he stated. The mother also referenced the recent murder of a 14-year-old boy on a bus in Woolwich as part of her reasoning.

In his testimony, the boy described his experience at the Ghanaian boarding school as “hell,” stating that he had difficulty adapting, struggled with the curriculum, and felt isolated.

He also alleged mistreatment at the school and reached out to the British High Commission in Accra as well as the charity Children and Family Across Borders in his bid to return to the UK.

The court heard that the teenager had been absent from school in London before the move and had been observed wearing expensive clothes and carrying multiple mobile phones—factors that raised concerns about potential criminal exploitation.

Following the ruling, the boy’s legal representative, James Netto from the International Family Law Group, described the verdict as a “real shock” to the teenager, who remains determined to find a way back to London.

Meanwhile, his parents issued a statement saying, “This has been a really difficult time for us all. Our priority has always been protecting our son, and our focus now is on moving forward as a family.”

The father has since visited the teenager in Ghana, and the court was informed that discussions are ongoing regarding alternative educational arrangements within the country.

However, with no immediate placement available, the teenager remains in limbo, still hoping for a return to the UK.

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